Islanders Face Difficult Test in the First Round

It’s been six seasons since Islanders fans have seen their team in the postseason, but the wait is now over. A young team, led by Hart Trophy candidate John Tavares, will not have an easy first round as they face the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The good news for New York is that Sydney Crosby, who was injured earlier this season in a game at the Nassau Coliseum, is questionable for the series. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin, Jarome Iginla, and Brenden Morrow all have skill and experience that will be difficult for the Islanders to handle.

If the Isles are going to stand any chance in this series, goalie Evgeni Nabokov needs to continue standing on his head and the second line has to stay hot.

The New York Islanders have not advanced past the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals since the 92-93 season, when they defeated Washington Capitals in six games.

The experts will have the Islanders losing in four or five games, but in the NHL postseason anything is possible. Maybe this young, scrappy Long Island group will catch a few breaks and pull off one heck of an upset.

But I wouldn’t put your money on it.

Listen below to hear Kris's audio narration on the Islanders' chances with clips from the Tribeca Film Festival Red Carpet premiere of "Big Shot."